Chanuka is upon us.
Who doesn’t love Chanukah? Gathering around the chanukiah to light up the night. Sharing yummy fried food together. The songs. Family time.
This year Chanukah came early – and perhaps it’s a bit difficult to truly enjoy the lights when it’s warm and sunny outside.
But one thing about Chanukah that we can always appreciate is the idea of miracles.
What is a miracle?
One definition of miracle is an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. Like the small army of Jews winning the war. Like finding a small jar of oil after the temple had been vanquished. Like that jar of oil keeping the menorah lit for a whole week.
These kinds of miracles might be few and far between and have earned celebrations and holidays surrounding them.
They inspire us to aspire to fully appreciate God’s power in the world and the role of His hand in our lives.
But there is another understanding of the word miracle: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.
And these kinds of miracles happen much more often. Maybe even daily.
I think that your body’s ability to constantly, minute by minute, maintain hormonal balance and biochemical and bio-physical equilibrium is miraculous (this ability is called allostasis)
I believe that your body’s ability to heal itself time and time again is nothing short of miraculous.
Usually we don’t really notice these miracles, since they are happening all the time and we take them for granted.
But every so often I get a bigger glimpse into the miraculous nature of our bodies that can’t be ignored.
Yesterday in my clinic I was treating a woman for pain coming from a torn tendon. It was really painful when she put pressure on it, like trying to walk, or even when I touched it. She had been struggling with this pain for months.
After the acupuncture treatment she got up to walk – and there was no pain!
And she exclaimed- “It’s my Chanukah miracle!”
And she’s right. She walked into the clinic in pain. She left the clinic pain free. All I did was put in some needles – and her body did the rest.
Our bodies are truly extraordinary. They are capable of powerful healing – both physical and emotional.
They sometimes just need a little reminder – and then they perform miracles.
The miracle of physical pain subsiding. Back pain. Neck pain. Stomach pain.
The miracle of living pain free. Feeling energetic. Filled with vitality.
The miracle of releasing emotional pain. Anxiety. Anger. Sadness. Fear.
The miracle of seeing the world from a new perspective. Hope. Forgiveness. Gratitude.
These smaller miracles – these extraordinary shifts and changes are accessible to us.
Your body and mind can heal themselves – they are nothing short of miraculous. They just need the right support and encouragement.
So let’s get into the Chanukah spirit and look for the miracles in our lives. The places where we have found physical and emotional healing.
And if you are feeling pain – feel free to contact me so we can get you started on the path to your own “chanukah miracle”.
